VOLUNTEERISM
Roadside angels help save husband’s life
My husband and I recently traveled to Monroe. Shortly after we arrived, my husband suffered a massive heart attack. My sister was driving, and my husband, Greg, was in the car. We pulled over and two women pulled up. One asked if she could help. A young man pulled up and asked if he could help. These strangers got my husband and began giving him CPR. Paramedics took him to a hospital in Monroe. He was then flown to St. Mary’s Health Care System in Athens, and later moved to Athens Regional Medical Center for surgery.
If it hadn’t been for the quick response of strangers, the excellent care in the hospitals, and the skills of Drs. John Layher and Cullen Morris, Greg would not be here. I wish I had gotten the names of those roadside angels to thank them. I hope they see this letter and recognize themselves so they know how grateful we are. I also thank all of the hospital personnel. Because of these wonderful people, Greg won’t miss our son’s wedding in June.
LuAnn Williams, Elida, Ohio
POPULATION
Politicians lose sight of boomers’ contributions
While politicians dither and debate ways to finance and deliver entitlements without extending insupportable deficits, they are ignoring the proverbial 900-pound gorilla in the room: the baby boomers.
Where is the leadership from the president and Congress? Where are the plans to educate, motivate and recalibrate American business and industry to take full advantage of this huge pool of talent and experience? Healthy, 65-year-old American workers — poised for retirement — can go in one of two directions. If they choose to fully retire, they become a double economic negative. They begin drawing scarce retirement and Medicare resources, and they stop contributing the payroll taxes that have built these very programs.
If they choose to continue to work (in their original occupations or “encore” careers), they continue to contribute taxes while substantially deferring benefits, perhaps for a decade or more.
Chuck Phillips, Duluth
PARKS
Piedmont’s new features worthy of thanks, praise
Many thanks to the Piedmont Park Conservancy and Atlanta’s Office of Parks for the wetlands boardwalks beside the dog park and the hillside walk above, offering vistas of Amsterdam Walk. The upper walk terminates with a grassed area, bathrooms, and a fountain similar to (and rivaling) the fountain in Centennial Olympic Park. Additional paths lead up into Storza Woods. These few words cannot do justice to the natural beauty of the woods and the wetlands restoration area. Walk or bike and see for yourself.
John Hollender, Atlanta
POLITICS
Send president packing for campaigning on job
It’s months away from the general election, and our president spends his time campaigning to save his job. He’s not doing what we pay him to do: lead our government. Furthermore, we are paying his salary, his transportation and security so he can campaign to save his job. Please send him home to Chicago. We need a better president.
Tam Nguyen, Duluth
